Edmonton's public school board is quashing plans to establish entrance requirements for Victoria School of the Arts after members of the downtown community spoke out.

The plan would have prevented high school students living in the catchment area from attending the school unless they met entrance requirements.

Now the school will return to the current policy where anyone who lives in the area can attend the performing and fine arts school.

The community was overwhelmingly against the idea, said board planning director Lorne Parker.

"This is an area that has some socio-economic concerns, and they felt that removing the high school woud not be of help to the community."

Parker said the Board proposed the changes because demand for the specialized arts programs at Victoria school is so high.

With files from CBC's Silvana Benolich